The three-week period between the 17^th day of Tammuz when the Roman invaders breached the walls of Jerusalem and the 9^th of Av when these enemies destroyed our Beit Hamikdash is a period of mourning for the Jewish nation.

As we reflect on the exile that our people suffered as a result of the tragedies that took place during this period, we reflect on a comforting thought provided by the Ramban in his commentary on the Torah. In the warning given to the Jewish nation that their betrayal of G-d will be punished by exile the Torah declares that our enemies will be taken aback by the desolation they see in the land they conquered.

This is a comforting promise, writes the Ramban, that our holy land will never welcome our enemies. It will prosper only when the people to whom it was granted populate it.

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